PRINCIPLE NO. 3 Reduce Residential Right-of-Way Widths
Residential street right-of-way widths should be the minimum to accommodate the travel-way, the sidewalk, and open channels.
Utilities and storm drains should be located within the pavement section of the right-of-way.
Notes:
In many communities, a single right of way width of 50 - 60 feet is applied to all residential street categories. While a wide right of way does not necessarily create more impervious cover, it subjects a greater area to clearing and consumes land that could be preserved as open space by achieving a more compact site design. By redesigning each of the main components of the right-of-way (ROW), residential street sections can be significantly reduced. Some techniques include reducing street width, narrowing sidewalks or restricting it to one side, narrowing the border width between street and sidewalk, and/or installing utilities under street pavements. One option is to place sidewalk and utilities within easements outside of the ROW to reduce the distribution of homes close to the road edge. The combined effect can be a reduction of 10 to 25 feet in total street width.